AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2022 |
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ESTATE PLANNING FOR YOUR BRITTS |
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What if the unthinkable happens?
Who will care for your Brittanys?
Will the financial resources be available for their care?
No one likes to think about these things, but when we hear about a sudden passing that results in beloved pets being left behind, it motivates us to be sure our pets will be well cared for. American Brittany Rescue can help you plan, and we will step in to take over the care of you Brittanys if the unthinkable happens. Please review our estate planning guide and make it a New Year's goal to be sure you are prepared for the unthinkable.
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GRAIN FREE DIETS...
What You Need to Know
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Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is normally a condition that is associated with specific dog breeds such as Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, and Great Danes. The condition develops when the walls of the ventricles (generally the left ventricle) thin and the heart can no longer pump blood effectively. Some symptoms of DCM include coughing, lower exercise tolerance, and labored breathing (VCA Hospitals- DCM).
Over the past few years, however, veterinary cardiologists started noticing young dogs of breeds that were not predisposed to DCM (atypical breeds) showing up in their clinics with symptoms of the disease. As these cardiologists started sharing their findings amongst their colleagues, they noticed a trend of affected dogs eating grain-free diets. In July of 2018, the FDA issued an alert regarding this uptick of DCM cases in breeds not normally associated with the disease. Since then, nutritionists and veterinarians from the pet food industry, academia, and government have come together to try to determine the root cause.
Is there a link between all grain-free diets and these DCM cases?
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No, the FDA has identified a potential link with DCM and certain pet foods that are labeled as “grain-free” that also contain a high proportion of peas, lentils (pulses), and/or potatoes in various forms as the main ingredients
- DCM cases reported to the FDA covered an array of many popular pet food brands on the market today (FDA Investigation 2019)
What causes this type of DCM (non-hereditary)?
First and foremost, the exact cause of this DCM presentation in atypical breeds is still unknown. Millions of pets were consuming grain-free diets when this issue was first discovered with the vast majority showing no DCM symptoms. Retrospective evaluations of dogs that were affected noted that most were fed diets with high levels of peas and lentils, and that changing their diet to one containing grains led to a longer lifespan than dogs that continued on the same diet (Petfoodology- Tufts University).
In September 2020, Kansas State University brought together researchers from across the pet food industry and academia to report their findings to date (Select Presentations). The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) provided a summary of the main findings and other updates since that meeting. The FDA presented updated totals as to the number of reported cases and how those cases were treated by veterinarians. A key point was that all dogs that fully recovered from DCM had their diet changed, and nearly all were treated with taurine (an amino acid) and pimobendan (a commonly used pharmaceutical drug for cardiac disease). Therefore, researchers are unable to say it was a diet change alone that reversed the symptoms (or caused them). And despite multiple retrospective studies, the cause of DCM and why it impacts only a subset of dogs fed the diets remains unclear. In other words, researchers are still looking for the root cause.
What should I do if I am feeding a grain-free diet or one with high levels of peas/lentils/potatoes?
For individual cases, it is best to check with your veterinarian to see if the diet or brand has been implicated in DCM cases. Many pet food companies have reformulated diets with added taurine or methionine or cysteine (amino acids the body can use to make taurine).
Importantly, if your dog is showing any signs of DCM, it is important to get them to your primary vet as soon as possible so they can determine if your Britt needs an echocardiogram to check heart function.
- Fast breathing when resting/sleeping
- Labored breathing
- Restless sleeping
- Coughing
- Weakness
- Exercise intolerance
- Collapsing
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Distended belly
Note that these symptoms can occur with other diseases as well.
Many university veterinary departments and researchers are continuing to collect data on dogs that present with DCM. If your vet determines it is best to have your dog checked, take a picture of the exact diet you are feeding along with the ingredient label to help them in their efforts.
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Lucy Duncan
By Autumn Fenton
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“Lucy is an extremely competent, organized, and capable young woman. She holds a leadership role within her career which carries a lot of responsibility, yet she is very responsive in her volunteer work with ABR,” says multi-state coordinator and mentor Rebecca Rockwell Wallace. “In addition, she is a gifted artist who does amazing animal portraits and is a devoted wife, daughter, and ‘hoomom’ to two Brittanys.”
Lucy’s leadership tendencies include maintaining control while allowing creativity to reign. When asked to answer a series of questions, Lucy eschewed the standard Q and A format. Instead, she crafted an intriguing story about her beginnings as an ABR coordinator and how that evolved. She even included an anecdote about one memorable dog she pulled from a shelter. Her devotion to ABR and our Brittanys shines through in the story that follows.
In 2012, I lived in Central Arkansas with my husband and our two dogs—Maggie, a Brittany we rescued off Craigslist from someone who wanted to “trade for farm animals,” and Cash, a pointer-mix we had rescued six months earlier.
Maggie was our first experience with a Brittany, and her personality brought a level of companionship and love to our lives we didn’t know we were missing. With my newfound love of Brittanys, I began following ABR on Facebook and reached out to offer help with graphic design. When I learned that I could potentially assist with transports and fostering and that my state of Arkansas was low on volunteers, I officially signed up to help. One short year after fostering four dogs, the Arkansas state coordinator retired from rescue, and I assumed her role.
Heartbreakingly, dogs are often treated as “lawn ornaments.” I don’t know if it is more prevalent in the south, but it certainly feels that way some days. Arkansas needs volunteers, and I’ve leaned heavily on my nearby state coordinators to help with transports, fostering, and general sanity checks. If not for Rebecca Rockwell Wallace and Mariann Jackson, I might have given up several times.
One example is a Brittany I pulled from a shelter whom we named Buck. He was an intact male brought in after wandering in the woods for an undetermined amount of time. Buck’s teeth were so badly broken that the vet hypothesized he’d tried eating rocks.
Before making the long drive to pick him up, I asked if there would be a vet on staff who could microchip him. I was told, “sure.” I arrived the next afternoon, microchip syringe in hand, and entered the shelter to see the lobby walls stacked with wire cages of adoptive cats.
They brought Buck out on a leash, and I couldn’t believe how emaciated (but happy!) he was. I quickly explained I’d brought a syringe for the vet to microchip him—trying to hand it over so Buck could be taken back to wherever the vet was.
“Oh yeah,” they said, “just a minute.”
A man wearing camouflage coveralls and a soiled jacket came out and asked what I needed. I again explained about the microchip.
“Okayyy,” he drawled, taking the syringe. “And where does it go?”
I glanced down at Buck, who was completely rigid and pointing at the wall of cats who were quite vocally protesting his presence. “Umm, the vet will know…,” I murmured, scanning the wall of hissing cats. I cleared my throat and added, “It’s usually in between the shoulder blades?”
In one swift motion, the stranger uncapped the microchip, pinched Buck’s skin away from his body, and injected it. My jaw dropped. Buck remained unwavering and continued to point at the wall of cats.
I still remember clambering into my car with Buck, hands shaking from adrenaline. We knew nothing about this dog. What if he had yelped in pain or even bitten that man from the shock of the microchip hurting? I immediately called Rebecca to regale her with the story. Then I drove three hours home with the windows down to suck the smell of Buck out of the car.
But Buck, like so many rescued Brittanys, was the kindest and most gentle dog. Encouraging him to join me on the couch and watching his initial hesitancy shift into contentment as he would curl beside me was the best part of fostering.
It’s been five years since my husband and I relocated to northwest Arkansas, and through career changes, coupled with our own rescue, Cash, not being keen on fosters, we’ve paused our fostering endeavors. I find joy in “approving” new volunteers and prospective adopters because I know they’ll similarly experience the magical shift in a dog.
It happens with a Brittany who we may know nothing about, but it’s clear they’ve never lived inside and everything is new and intimidating, or a Brittany who lost their “person” but gains hope and trust in a new one. It happens the moment they eat from our hand and trust grows a little more, or they pick up a toy of their own volition, or romp outside with their newfound freedom.
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Snip (#10449) and Snap (#10450) - UT - 9/yr old: Snip and Snap, two beautiful and bonded sisters, are waiting to join your home and family after losing their dear dad and then living outside for a year. Before you can snap your fingers, Snip will be in your lap, ready for cuddles. Snap, on the other hand, may take more time to warm up and want snuggles, but give her some extra snaps (time) and she will come around. These girls have never been apart and need to be adopted together so that Snap will feel safe and secure. So, snip, snap, paddywhack, give these girls a home!
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Harvey, AKA Bud (#10441) - VA - 12/yr old: Sweet Harvey, AKA Bud, lived most of his life tied to a tree. This senior boy is now looking for somewhere to lay his head and receive lots of love. Favorite things include human attention, exercise, and treats! Bud is learning that it’s OK to relax indoors, but he most enjoys being outside and exploring, so if you like barbecuing and a brewski, then this Bud’s for you!
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This lovely, lovable and loving lady, also known as Lady Lu or Lu, has had some rough times. This senior girl is deaf and has vestibular disease, so she will need a special home to care for her. Like a Weeble, she wobbles, but this amazing and resilient girl gets right up and keeps going. Petite sweet Lady Lu is looking for her manor so she can finally be the Lady of the Manor. Is your manor her new loving home? (Be ready to be loved on!!!)
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Brewster (#10436) - NH - 11/yr old: Handsome, darling Brewster is looking for his forever home. It will need to have a secure fence as his foster mom says he is a Houdini when it comes to getting out of any enclosure. He loves walks and rides in the car, but this sweet fella is just as content to lounge in your lap all day. He will be totally devoted to you! Will you be the one to let Brewster work his magic on your heart and become his forever love?
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Charmin (#10405) - OH - 8/yr old: Her name means "delight" and when you meet her, she does just that! Charmin spent most of her life outside, so she is really enjoying all the new “inside” things at her foster home. She loves her humans and is having fun with her canine companions. Charmin has some energy to burn and Ninja skills to show off, but with a rescue angel to show her the way, she will thrive, shine, and .... delight!
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Buddy (#10404) - OH - 11/yr old: What’s not to love? Sweet, spry, active, inquisitive and oh-so-handsome Buddy spent most of his life outside in a kennel. He is now enjoying the good life inside with toys, and chews, and friends to play with! This sweet, laid-back gentleman would love to have a canine buddy or two and a yard to run in at his new home. Could Buddy be your next buddy?
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Are you looking to adopt a Brittany but don't see one available in your area? |
We welcome you to complete an adoption application to start the approval process, so you will be ready to adopt when the time comes!
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WREATH FUNDRAISER
76 supporters participated in the annual wreath sale resulting in a profit check for $697.00 being sent to ABR. Thank you all for participating!
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AMAZON SMILE
Your shopping counts!
ABR's Amazon Smile donation this quarter is $1,573.54! That is a lot of help for Brittanys in need. Thank you for choosing ABR as your charity!
If you don't use Amazon Smile already, learn how you can donate to ABR just by shopping on Amazon. Visit Smile.Amazon.com.
There's no additional cost to you and it's super easy!
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BRITTANYS ENJOYING WINTER |
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Share your Valentine-theme photos with us for the chance to see them in February eNews or on Facebook and Instagram!
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Do you have “Foster Tails” to tell?
A foster moment you’ll never forget?
A challenge you overcame?
A funny or heartwarming story?
A tale of encouragement?
A foster who made a special impact?
Whether it's a few sentences, a whole story, or a photo that speaks for itself, we would love to share your anecdotes, thoughts, and experiences. Please connect with us at social.networks@americanbrittanyrescue.org.
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Keep up-to-date on dog food and treat recalls on DogFoodAdvisor.com. You can also sign up to have recall alerts delivered to your inbox! |
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ABOUT THE AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE
American Brittany Rescue, Inc. is an organization that was formed in 1991 as a cooperative effort of Brittany owners, breeders, trainers, and fanciers who ABR believes have a responsibility not only for their own dogs and the dogs they produce, but for the breed as a whole.
THE AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE MISSION
ABR's mission is to provide the leadership and expertise via a network of trained volunteers to take in stray, abandoned, surrendered and/or impounded purebred Brittanys, provide them with foster care, health and temperament screening, an opportunity for any necessary rehabilitation and to assure their health and placement into new homes. In order to fulfill this mission, ABR's volunteers remain flexible and adaptable to current and future business environments and they remain dedicated to the organization.
ABR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Terry Mixdorf, President
Terrie Johnson, Vice President
Joe Herslip, Secretary
Jeanette Seely, Interim Treasurer
Sandra Oelschlegel, Chair
Diana Doiron
Deb Grove
Nancy Hensley
Michelle Falkinburg
Bobbi Tolman
Melissa Tapply DiLello
AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE E-NEWSLETTER TEAM
Brittany Boler
Christine Brennan
Jeannine Connors
Judie Cutting
Kristin Davis
Autumn Fenton
Linda Joyce
Melissa Tapply DiLello
Debra White
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